Showing 1-34 of 34 items found in Outdoors & Play

Cruise along the Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway, where the Mighty Mississippi, Missouri and Illinois Rivers converge. The 33-mile byway begins in Hartford, leading you through Alton and bends along the forested river bluffs to its end point in Grafton, at Pere Marquette State Park.

Looking for a jaw dropping, heart racing experience? Try Grafton’s newest attraction – a zip line that affords those brave enough a stunning river view and hours of fun. The nine zip lines total 1.75 miles, which should take approximately two hours to complete. The first of nine zip lines is nicknamed the Baby Bear – the shortest measuring only 300 feet in length. The longest, at 2,000 feet, is the Soaring Eagle, which has breathtaking views during its 250-foot descent. The Deer Hollow (3rd zip) and the Barn Burner (the final zip) are both 1,500 feet. The Limestone Leap (7th zip) is 1,300 feet, the River Run (5th zip) is 1,200 feet, the Gobblers Knob (6th zip) is 1,000 feet and the Road Runner (2nd zip) at 700 feet.

At 8,000 acres, Pere Marquette State Park is the largest state park in Illinois. Go hiking on wooded trails, biking along scenic bluffs, fishing and boating on the Illinois River, or horseback riding through the forest. The park is also known for its guided fall color drives and eagle-watching tours in the winter. The rustic stone-and-timber Pere Marquette Lodge makes a great base for exploring the area.

As a centerpeice of Pere Marquette State Park, the lodge and restaurant are an attraction for visitors from miles around. Visitors can spend a day at the park and explore the Great Room of the lodge, dine in the restaurant or even spend a night in a cozy lodge room or cabin. The centerpeice of the rustic timber 1930s Great Room is the 700 ton stone fireplace and life-size chess set. The Great Rooms beckons visitors to pull up a chair and a glass of wine with a view of the Illinois River. The Lodge restaurant is known for its family-style chicken dinner and season Sunday brunch buffets. Spend the afternoon or a weekend for an unforgettable experience.

Near the confluence of the Mississippi and Illinois rivers lies a veritable bird-watching utopia. Visitors to Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge can expect to see a variety of migratory birds, from waterfowl and warblers to Acadian Flycatchers and American Bald Eagles. In fact, Two Rivers is the winter home to one the largest Bald Eagle populations in the continental United States.

Get the best view of Alton and the Mississippi River from eight stories in the air atop the Melvin Price Locks & Dam. Take a free guided tour and see towboats and barges as they push their way through this incredible structure. It's also a great spot to eagle watch in the winter.

The 4,000 seat Liberty Bank Alton Amphitheater hosts a variety of events from community festivals to live concerts throughout the summer months. With the Mighty Mississippi River as a backdrop, bring your blanket and spread out for an evening under the stars. Check out our website for a list of upcoming events.

Extending 20 miles from Alton to Pere Marquette State Park, the Sam Vadalabene Bike Trail runs parallel to the Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway along IL Route 100, as well as the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. The route is completely paved and takes cyclists through the towns of Elsah and Grafton. Comfort stations are available at Piasa Park, Clifton Terrace Park, Elsah, Grafton Visitors Center, Grafton Harbor public restroom and Pere Marquette State Park. This is a great ride for cyclist of all ages, including families looking for a free day of fun!

Visit this "Key West" of the Midwest located where the Illinois River and Mississippi River meet. In addition to harbor faciltiies, a floating swimming pool and the Big Kahuna Bar and Grill, Grafton Harbor features a gift shop where boaters and landlubbers alike can find unique trinkets and treasures. Snacks, beer and wine, boating accessories and parts, clothing for all ages, navigational maps and gifts for that special child are all available.

Consisting of 15 wildlife management areas and 13 public access areas, the Mississippi River State and Wildlife Area manages a majority of its 24,400 acres to accommodate waterfowl hunting and habitat enhancement.

Bluffdale is an Illinois farm vacation dude ranch and bed & breakfast. Parent Magazine's "Top 10 Family Resorts in North America." Our family has been welcoming guests to our historic Illinois farm near Eldred, Illinois since 1963. Recreation activities include horseback riding, boating, fishing, swimming, hayrides, bonfires, sing-alongs and more. Bluffdale is famous for its generous home cooked meals with home baked bread, rolls and pies. Our luxury cabins, featuring a fireplace and hot tub, are ideal for romantic getaway weekend or honeymoon bed & breakfast lodging. Spring brings a wide variety of wildflowers and morel mushrooms. In fall the bluffs make a colorful drive and eagle watch from Alton to Bluffdale along the Great River Road, a National Scenic Byway. Check our website for rates and availability.

We're proud to be considered the region's best outdoor bar and grill, with the best scenic view, at the end of the best scenic drive. Our majestic view is not to be missed. Watch the river roll by while listening to live entertainment. Our full menu features something for everyone...don't miss our famous Dock Salsa! Be sure to stop by the fourth weekend of the month March - October for the Riverside Flea Market featuring over 60 local vendors. Let us host your next party! We cater events of all sizes...from reunions and receptions to birthdays and bridal showers. Keep the fun going at one of our four Loading Dock Guest Houses, perfect for an intimate getaway or an all night get-together. New in 2015! The Loading Dock Ice Rink. Open weekends until March 2016.

Welcome to the Backwoods! We are dedicated to providing top quality, home grown products in a family friendly atmosphere. Please come and enjoy the great outdoors with us. We started growing specialty crops in 1990 with a few blackberries. We have since expanded into asparagus, berries, peaches, and canned & baked goods. Pick up fruits of the season from the roadside stand or head to the fields to pick your own strawberries, black raspberries or asparagus.

Geocaching is an outdoor treasure-hunting game in which the participants use a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver or other navigational techniques to hide and seek containers (called "geocaches" or "caches"). Several are located at the Rivers Project and interested individuals can attend this free 1 hour program on Saturdays, June through August,to learn more and get involved in geocaching.

Grab your skates and hit the ice any time of the year at this indoor ice arena. Didn't bring your skates? No problem. Rent a pair and take a few laps around the rink. It's the coolest place in town all year round!

Need a bicycle tune-up before you hit the local bike trails? Medford Bicycle & Sporting Goods in Jerseyville is the place to go. All types of bicycle repairs and accessories are available at this one-stop shop. New and used bicycles can be purchased. There is also a wide selection of sporting goods needs from helmets to ball bats, knee pads to practice jerseys. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

The 9-hole "Lone Oak" executive course at the Lone Oak Golf Course facility in Carrollton features 2,150 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 32. Designed by George DeGeal, the Lone Oak golf course opened in 1984.

Arguably this park has one of the bet views of the Mississippi River from the bluffs nestled in the historic Christian Hill District which is filled with 1800s era architecture. Grab your picnic lunch because the view is incredible from this little park. Fall in love with the view of the river and even say "I Do" under the gazebo for an unforgettable afternoon.

The Nature Institute is a non-profit land conservation and environmental education organization based in Godfrey, IL. Since its founding in 1980, The Nature Institute's board and staff have worked to foster an awareness and appreciation of the natural world through preservation, restoration, and education. The Nature Institute also owns and manages over 450 acres of protected land, such as the Olin Nature Preserve, the Mississippi Sanctuary, the Kemp and Cora Hutchinson Bird Sanctuary, and the Heartland Prairie Project at Gordon Moore Park. These natural areas provide unique places for the public to experience the diversity of the Riverbend area with its hardwood forests, prairies and wetlands. The preserves are open to the public and free to use from dawn to dusk.

Scenic views are the centerpiece of this 7,000 yard, 18-hole Arnold Palmer designed golf course. The deceptively open design places a premium on accurate iron play in order to get close to the pin. This course is challenging enough for the skilled player but enjoyable for the recreational golfer as well.

Wolves Crossing was built in 1993 and features open, rolling landscapes with manageable length and plenty of open space. Located just 15 minutes north of Alton, Wolves Crossing is an excellent choice for golf outings, tournaments, company outings and fund raisers.

TreeHouse Wildlife Center is a non-profit wildlife rehabilitation center dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of native injured and orphaned wildlife. Located on approximately eight serene and beautiful acres, it's the ideal environment for injured or orphaned animals who need time to recuperate. Visitors are welcome to come out for a self guided tour of the outdoor cages at our Dow facility. Guided tours also available. We are open from 10am - 3pm everday.

The McCully Heritage Project is a natural area made up of 940 acres of hills and hollows in Calhoun County, Illinois. The project offers 15 miles of hiking and horse back riding trails, two ponds for fishing and turtle watching, a wetland with a boardwalk, a hill prairie plot and more. Hiking is pleasant even in the summer as the wooded trails provide plenty of shade. Facilities are available for group activities, large and small. The focus of the McCully Heritage Project is upon cultural and environmental enjoyment, education, and preservation. The general public is welcome to hike, picnic, bird watch, and enjoy the natural beauty of the site. The McCully Heritage Project is located about 1 mile south of Kampsville, Illinois, off of Illinois Route 100. Take Crawford Creek Road west about 1/2 mile to MHP.

Designed around a winding creek and elevation changes, The Woodlands is known as a “shot-makers” paradise. Enjoy breathtaking views from the clubhouse which overlooks the 18th green. The banquet facility can seat 250 and is an ideal location for receptions, parties and more. The Red Barn, also on the golf course property, is available to rent for outdoor weddings.

For over 30 years, Rolling Hills has been providing an enjoyable golf experience and exceptional value for thousands of golfers. Family owned and operated, this 164 acre course facility offers an 18-hole Par 72 course and a 9-hole par 29 Executive course. Rolling Hills offers complete golf, food and beverage services throughout the day. Carts, clubs and practice balls are available for rent. Open daily 7 a.m. to dusk.

Come golf with a little bit of history at the oldest family owned golf course in the area. Cloverleaf has been a family owned and operated golf course since 1931. Cloverleaf provides the perfect golf getaway for all golfers. The course provides a sufficient challenge for seasoned golfers to have a good time, but also makes a great course for new golfers to learn the game.

If you want to play golf at a course that gives you impeccable value and leaves you with a golf story your buddies will drool over, look no further ... From hills 'n' hollers, to 80 foot bluffs, and a winding creek intertwined throughout the course, The Woodlands is known for it's incredible layout and smooth-rolling greens.

Belk Park at 234-acres is the largest park in Wood River.Located on Rock Hill Road at the eastern edge of the city. In addition to the 18-Hole Championship Golf Course, the present facilities include a lake with fishing, picnic areas, a ball field, children’s playground equipment, shelters (which can be rented by visiting City Hall), woodland and open space. Belk Park has a clubhouse for rent with a nice-sized multipurpose room and seating for 168.